Albert Tissandier

Albert Tissandier (1839 – 5 September 1906) was a French architect, aviator, illustrator, editor and archaeologist. He was the brother of adventurer Gaston Tissandier with whom he collaborated in writing the magazine La Nature, a French language scientific journal aimed at the popularization of science. He and his brother demonstrated the first electric powered flight.

Born in Paris in 1839, Albert Tissandier was a loyal and assiduous companion of his brother, Gaston Tissandier. As an architect, he was involved in a large number of projects.

Though his brother was nominally the sole founder of La Nature, a scientific journal aimed at the popularization of science, Albert contributed extensively to the magazine, mostly as an illustrator and editor. He was heavily involved in it from the very first issue in 1873 until his retirement in 1905, less than a year before his death.

His devotion to aeronautics began on 8 November 1868, when he made his first hot air balloon ascent between Melun and Paris during a snowstorm.

During the siege of Paris in the Franco-Prussian war, Albert Tissandier piloted one of the first mail balloons to outside the city. He escaped Paris on 14 October 1870, in the gondola of the balloon Jean-Bart, taking two other travellers in his care. Additionally, he carried 400 kg (1000 lb) of mail and dispatches from 100 anxious families. He was awarded the Médaille militaire for his bravery.

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